Original British Napoleonic New Land Pattern Tower Flintlock Dragoon Pistol marked to the 12th Light Dragoons – Waterloo Participant Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This Lovely flintlock Pistol dates to prior the Battle of Waterloo, and is a standard full stocked flintlock pistol fitted with the NEW LAND PATTERN Swivel all steel “captured” ramrod. Introduced in 1808, this allowed a Cavalryman to easily reload the pistol while on horseback without fear of dropping his ramrod.

Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a lovely P-1796 Light Dragoon pistol, the standard pistol in use during most of the Napoleonic wars. This pistol definitely dates to prior the Battle of Waterloo, and is marked to the 12th Light Dragoons, later known as the 12th Royal Lancers. This Regiment of Light Dragoons/Lancers were raised in 1715 by Brigadier General PHINEAS BOWLES and became the 12th Regiment of Dragoons in 1751. In 1768, King George III bestowed the badge of the three ostrich feathers and the motto “Ich Dien” on the regiment and re-titled it as the 12th (Prince of Wales’s) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons.

Under this name it took part in the French Revolutionary War in 1794 followed by the Egyptian Campaign of 1801 and joined Wellington in in 1811 in the Peninsular Campaign under the Command of Colonel FREDERICK PONSONBY. It took part in the Battle of Waterloo and joined SIR JOHN VANDERLEUR’s Brigade, which charged with the UNION Brigade in which FREDERICK PONSONBY was killed. There is a good chance that this pistol was carried by a dragoon during the Napoleonic wars, and possibly on the field at Waterloo itself!

This dragoon pistol is in fine tight and all original condition showing British Proof marks. The lock is marked with Crown over G.R. and TOWER on the lock plate tail, with the CROWN / BROAD ARROW “Lock Viewer’s” mark under the pan. It features a safety on the tail of the lock, only seen on the first few years or production, so this example is definitely pre-waterloo.

It is fitted with the standard 8 3/4″ .67″ smooth bore barrel, which still shows visible proofs on the breech end, a rare thing to see. From what we can see, they are the CROWN / GR royal proof and the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS proof for manufacture in Birmingham, England by Ketland, which in 1813 became the proof mark for all of Birmingham produced guns. The top of the barrel is marked XII = L-D’S, for the 12th Light Dragoons.

Overall condition is very nice, with the expected wear from age and use. The stock has a standard brass nose cap and all brass fittings. The lock functions well, holding at half cock and firing at full. The captured ramrod works as well.

A highly desirable Flintlock pistol from the Napoleonic Wars from a remarkable British regiment with an action packed history. Ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1808
Caliber: .67″ Pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 8 7/8 inches
Overall Length: 15 1/4 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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